Apparatus for supplying fuel to internal-combustion engines



Sept. 30, 1930.

l.. T. .THURBER 1,776,871 APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL TO INTERNALCOIIBUSTIOH ENGINES Filed Oct. 6, 1923 7 Sheets-Sheet l/ 5 www# sept.30, 1930. L, T THURBER 1,776,871

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL TO INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed oct.6, 1923@ 7 sheets-,Sheet 2 Sept. 30, 1930. 1 T. THURBER 1,776,871

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL To INTERNAL conus'TIoN ENGINES Filed Oct.6, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Si Nwxww Are M Mmwcmx kmfoex A @N63 s Y Sept30, 1930- 1 T. THURBER 1,776,871

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLY-ING FUEL TO INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed` Oct.6, 1923 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 30, 1930- l.. T. THURBER APPARATUS FORSUPPLYING FUEL TO INTERNAL COHBUSTION NGINES .7 Sheets-Sheet' 5 FiledOct. 6, 1923 1.4...1llll Ealll- O Qu 09 \\\\1 am sa `V159 ws Sept. 30,1930. l.. T. THURBER j 1,776,871

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL TO INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES APPARATUSFOR SUPPLYING FUEL T0 INTERNAL COIIBUSTION ENGINES Filed oct. frshams-sheet Y wid TJ/ ,am wm, s w m Q, M

5, 2, M n .l n n l I mm, f .T 21,@ w mw @f C. I @m 09 Patented Sept. 30,1930 l UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE LUMAN THURBEIEL` OF BROOKLINE,MASSACHUSETTS APPARATUS FOR SPPLYING FUEL TO INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINSApplication filed October 6, 1923. Serial No. 667,062. Y i Objects oftheinvention are selectively to valve connecting the gasoline and keroseneVsupply kerosene or other relatively heavv float-chambers with the mixingchamber;

fuel and gasoline or other relatively light Fig. 12 is a side elevationof the manifold. volatlle fuel to an internal combustion enofthe secondembodiment with the carbureterv 5 gine or other device, to make theselection and other mechanism removed; y( V55 of fuel automaticallyresponsive to the tem- Fig. 13 is a section on the line 'i3-A3 ofvperature of the fuel and the condition of the Fig. 12; Y y engine, toprovide a circuitous path for the Fig. 14 is a detail section of thekeroseneV heavy fuel whereby the fuel may be continufloat-chamber on theline 14-14 of Fig. 8: i'

l ously circulated past a heater and maintained and 60 hot irrespectiveof the rat-e at which the fuel Fig. l is a detail section on the line15e- 15 is being drawn to the engine, to heat the 'l'loatof Fig. 8. lchamber for the heavy fuel, to utilizo said Cir- In F igs. l to T thefirst embodiment of the culation of heated fuel to maintain the.tloatinvention is shou'n as applied to an engine 1 15 chamber heated, toprovide means for manhaving the usual manifold comprising an ex- 65.ually shifting from one to thc other fuel in-- haust portion 2 `and anintake port-ion 3. i dependently ot' the automatic control. to con-Connected to the exhaust manifold is a cast neet the lighter fuel to theengine independing comprising a curved inlet portion 4. fa ently of theautomatic control when the sp ierical chamber 5 and an integral jacket 8choke is operated in starting the engine. and surrounding a part oftheportion 4, the jacket generally toirnprove fuel apparatus in which Sproviding a fuel heating chamber 9 (Figs. the fuel is preheated. 2 and3). This casting is connected to an For the purpose of illustrating thegenus exhaust pipe 7 through the coupling 6. The

of the invention two concret-e embodimentsV intake manifold 3communicates vviththe-air aie shown in the accompanying drawings ininlet (i9 (Fig. 1) controlled by the usual throt-v 75 which tle valve(10 through a conduit 6l (Figj2) ex- Fig. 1 is a side view of oneembodiment aptending axially through the spherical champlied to anengine; her 5 and through the mixing chamber 30.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view from the same The kerosene or other heavyfuel is supside, parts being shown in section; plied to the heatingchamber 9 from the vacu- 80 Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 3um tank. 10 having an inlet 12 and outlet 11, of Fig. 2: the pipe 11entering the chamber 9 at the top Figiis an enlarged fragmentarysectional as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The kerosene view on the line 4 1of Fig. 2; loat-chamber 14 is jacketed as shown in Fig. 5 is a sectionalView on the line 5?-5 Fig. 3 and the jacket is connected to the heat- 35of Fig. 4; i ing chamber 9 through the pipe 13 (Fig. 1') Fig. G is afragmentary sectional vien7 on which connects r'itli the top of theheating the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; chamber and the bottom of the jacket ofthe Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view float-chamber. Extendingbetween the similar to Fig. 5,illustratinga different valve jacket ofthe float-chan'iher and the heating 90 position; chamber is another pipe16 which connects Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the other emwith theupper partI of the jacket (Figs. 2 and bodiment of the invention, partsbeing broken 3) and with the bottom of the heating cham'- away to showthe feeding and control meehabei' (Figs. l and 2l. The pipes 13 and 16tonism for both light and heavy fuel; gether with the heating chamberand float 95 Fig. 9 is a plan view of the same` parte hejacket. chamberconstitute a circuitous path ing away; about. which the kerosene. maycirculate con- Fig. 10 is an end elevation. parts beine; sec.- tinnouslyon the tlieriino-siphon principle due tional on the line 10-10 of Fig.8: to the heat supplied to the kerosene in the mf Fig. l1 is a detailsect-ion of the reil'ulalorlf. chamber t), the fuel passing downwardly Ythrough pipe 13 and upwardly through pipe 16 as indlcated by the arrowsin Fig. 3.

The kerosene reservoir 19 (Fig. 3) communicates at the bottom oftheioat-chamber with the jacket space between outer and inner walls 14 and15 through four radial passages 18 in plug 17 and thence through valveseat 20. Needle valve 22 which cooperates with the valve seat iscontrolled by iioat 21 through levers 23 in the usual way. Kerosenepasses from the float-chamber 19 to the mixing chamber (Figs. 1 and. 2)through strainer 24 (Fig. 3) pipe 25 (Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7) thenceinto valve chamber 31 (Figs. 4, 5 and 7) thence through outlet 31 to thepipe 29 (Figs. 2 and 4) which leads to the mixing chamber 30. Gasolineor other relatively light fuel may be supplied to the mix- 'ing chamberfrom the float-chamber 27 through passa eway 28 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) tokthe-valvecham er 31 and thence through outlet 31 and pipev 29 as in thecase of the kerosene.A i As shown in Figs. 2, 4, 5 and f.

vao

passageway 28 and valve chamber 31 are located in a casting 26 which ismounted upon the side of the float-chamber casting with machine screws.

The flow of kerosene or gasoline is controlled by a double valve 32 inthe valve chamber 31, the valve being carried by arm 33 pivoted on shaft34 which is rotated by means of an outside arm 35 (Figs. 2, 5, 4 and 6).When the valve 32 is in upper position as show in Fig. 5 kerosene isexcluded from the chamber 31 and gasoline is admitted through thepassageway 28; and when the valve is in the lower position shown in Fig.7 gasoline is excluded and kerosene admitted.

The valve arm 35 is connected to an arm 36 through a spring 38 (Figs. 2and 3), the arm 36 being pivoted to a bracket 37 at 62. The arm 36 movesbetween the full-line and dotted-line positions shown in Fig. 2; in thefull-line position the valve arm 35 is swung in a counter-clockwisedirection shutting off the kerosene and when the arm 36 is in thedotted-line position the valve arm 35 is swung in a clockwise directionshutting off the gasoline. This valve arm may be controlled eithermanually or automatically or both as will be described hereinafter, butin this embodiment l have only illustrated an automatic control.

The automatic control for the valve comprises a thermostat located inthe bottom of carries at its outer end a crank-arm 40.n The arm 40 isconnected with the arm 36 through an adjustable link 39 (Figs. 2 and 3)and a tensioning spring 50 acting on the crank-arm 40 (Fig. 2) p" 'ssesth-` connector 43 upwardly against the lo wer theimostatic disk 44. Heatfrom the kerosene in the float-chamber 14 causes the thermostatic disksto expand and when the temperature has reached the desired point thevalve 32 is snapped from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the positionshown in Fig. 7 thereby shutting off the .gasoline and admitting thekerosene to the mixing chamber. Obviously, the mechanism may be adjustedto operate at any desired temperature so that after the engine isstarted on gasoline the valve will automatically shift to kerosene whent-he exhaust gases have heated the kerosene in the circuit 9--13-14-16to the desired temperature.

In order to provide for the expansion of the kerosene in the heatingchamber 9 and to vent any vapo: that may be formed in this .,hamber, theheating chamber is connected tLirough pipe 52 (Fig. 1) with a ventchamber 53 from which kerosene may flow-'through a pipe 54 to the mainkerosene tank.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 to 15 the engine manifold (Figs. 9,10 and 12) is provided with exhaust ports 92 and intake ports 91 andconnected to the manifold at 86 is a casting comprising the verticalportion 94 through which the exhaust gases pass downwardly and a lateralbranch 86 through which the fuel mixture flows to the intake ports 91through the passageway 87 and 89 (Figs. 12 and 13). Surrounding thevertical portion 94 is an integral jacket forming an annular fuelheating chamber 96. Fuel is supplied to this chamber through pipe 98 andthe chamber is vented through pipe 101 (Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 12). Thisheating chamber is provided e with an opening 104 on the outer side(Figs.

12 and 14) and the carbureter casting is mounted over this opening atthe joint 102 (Fig. 14), the joint preferably being of the conical typeas illustrated. The carbureter casting comprises a kerosenefloat-chamber 107, gasoline iioat-chamber 137 and a mixing chamber 82.All of these chambers are cast integrally together, the chambers 82 and107 being integrally connected at 164 and 163 (Figs. 8 and 15). Theupper end 83 of the mixing chamber 82 is connected to the end 85 of theaforesaid portion 86 (Fig. 10). Air is introduced into the mixingchamber through the air intake 80 (Figs. 8, 9 and 10) and the lowerportion 81 (Fig. 9) of the carhureter casting.

The kerosene float-chamber 107 is provided with a double wall thusforming av jacket chamber 108 which communicates with the heatingchamber 9G through the opening 104 (Figs. 12 andl4). Extendinghorizontally across the chamber 108 is a rib 108 which divides thechamber into upper and lower parts,

the two parts communicating through opening .165 (Figs. 9 and 14) andthrough the heating chamber. Thus the fuel circulates through theheating chamber and through the jacket of the float-chamber in thedirection indicated by the arrows in Fig. 14, thereby heating theioat-chamber and maintaining a considerable supply of heated fuel at alltimes. Fuel flows from the jacket chamber 108 into the float-chamberthrough passageway (Fig. 14) controlled by needle valve 105 which inturn is controlled by the fioat 100. Heated kerosene flows from theioatchamber to the mixing chamber through -a duct 116 (Figs. 8, 11 and15) thence through valve chamber 119 and thence through duct 124 (Figs.10 and 11).

Gasoline iows from the float-chamber 13T through the duct (Figs. 8 and11) to the valve chamber 119 and thence through duct 124 to the mixingchamber. A valve 121 mounted on arm 122 (Fig. 11) which is pivoted at123 controls the kerosene and gasoline outlets 118 and 141 to the valvechamber 119,

the kerosene being shut off when the valve is rotated in acounter-clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 11 and thegasoline being shut oft' when the valve is rotated in a clockwisedirection. The valve shaft 123 is controlled by the three-arm member 114(Fig.

`8) on the outside of the valve chamber. The

upper arm is connected through spring 151 to lever 147 pivoted at 148and normally resting against a stop 149. The lower arm oi member 114 isconnected with the cho-ke con trol through arm 162, spring 161 and arm158 mounted on the lower end of the choke valve shaft, this valve beingcontrolled in the usual way through arm 156 and a connection 159 leadingto the instrument board (Figs. 8 and 9). A cam lever 157 may also beassociated with the choke to adjust the valve. The

-horizontal arm of member 114 (Fig. 8) is connected through the spring113 to the lever 112 which is connected at its opposite end through pin109' to a thermostatic disk 111. This disk, which is preferably of theconcaveconvex bimetallic type disclosed in the patent to Spencer No.1,448,240, is mounted in the lower portion of the jacket chamber 108 sothat it is immersed in the heated fuel, openings through the disk beingprovided as shown in Fig. 8 to permit the fuel to flow therethrough andequalize the pressure on opposite sides of the disk. The thermostaticdisk is so constructed that it normally cups downwardly in the middleand when heated to a predetermined temperature suddenly snaps upwardlyto a position wherein it is cupped upwardly in the middle. Thus in thenormal position of the thermostat shown in Fig. 8 the valve 121 is heldin the position shown 1n Fig. 11 wherein gasoline is admitted to themixing chamber and the kerosene is shut ofi'. However, after the engineis starting chamber.

means for connecting said ed and the kerosene in the Hoet-chamberbecomes heated tothe desired temperature the`v thermostatic disk 111snaps upwardly there' by shifting the valve to its lower position (Fig.11) whereupon the gasoline is shut off and heated kerosene is admittedto the mix- The springs 113, 151 and 161 acting on the three arms of themember 114 are so tensioned that actuation of either lever 147 or'thechoke will swing the valve to the gasoline position independently of theposition of the thermostat.

Owing to the continuous circulation of heated fuel around the kerosenefloat-chamber, the reservoirof kerosene within the floatchamber ismaintained in proper condition j for delivery to the mixing chamber.Owing to the close juxtaposition and direct connection between theexhaust casting 94 and the carbureter casting, the latter heats upquicker and is moreeasily maintained in heated condition. The thermostatis immersed in the heated fuel and is therefore quickly responsive tochange in the temperature of the fuel. All of the conduits for theheated fuel are inside the associated casting so that substantially nochilling takes place as in apparatus where the heated fuel is conductedthrough exposed pipes.

I claim Y 1. Apparatus for supplying fuel to a device comprisingreservoirs for relative light and heavy fuels respectively, means forconducting either kind of fuel to said device, heating the heavy fuel,and means responsive to the temperature of the heavy fuel forselectively connecting said reservoirs 2. Apparatus for supplying fuelto a device comprising reservoirs for relative light and heavy fuelsrespectively. means for 4conducting either kind offuel to said device,means for'heating the heavy fuel. means responsive to the temperature ofthe heavy fuel for selectively connecting said reservoirs to saiddevice,iand manual means for selectively reservoirs to said deviceindependently ofthe temperature of the heavy fuel.

3. In apparatus for supplying fuel to a device of the type having achoke. reservoirs for relatively light and heavy fuels respectively,means for conducting either kind of fuel to said device. means forheating the heavy fuel, means responsive to the temperature of the heavyfuel for selectively connecting said reservoirs tu said device. andmeans associated with Isaid choke for selectively connectingr saidreservoirs to said device independently of the temperature of the heavyfuel.

4. In apparatus for supplying `fuel to a device of the type having achoke. reservoirs for relatively light and heavy fuels respeciill lun

tively, means for conducting either kind ot' fuel to said device, meansfor heating .the heavy fuel, and means associatedzwith `said choke forselectively connecting said reservoirs to said device.

In a fuel feeding andl preheating device for an internal combustionengine,` avsupply l tank for a relatively volatile fuel, a `supply tankfor a less volatile fuel, a heat exchanger for preheating said lessvolatile fuel, anda vulve. said valve. controlling thefeed 0f said fuelsto the mixing chamber and Vgoverned respectively hy manually controlledmeans` hy operation of the choke mechanism of said engin(` and b v athermostat operated by the teiuliierature of said less volatile fuel.

(i. A fuel feeding device for internal combustion engines coniprising asupply of relativelyv volatile fuel'` a supply of less volatile fuel.means forautomatically disconnecting one supply from the engine andconnecting the other supply to the engine` choke mecha nism, and meanscontrolled by the choke mechanism for connecting said first supply tothe engine independently of said means.

7. A fuel feeding device for internal'combustion engines comprising twosources of fuel supply. choke mechanism, and means controlled by thechoke mechanism forselectively connectingr one of said sources to theengine.

S. A fuel feeding device for internal combustion engines comprising alsupply of `relatively volatile fuel, a supply of less volatile fuel.means for preheating the less volatile fuel, and thermostatic controlmeans governed by the temperature of theless volatile fuel supply forselectively admitting said fuels to said engine.

9. Apparatus of the class described, comprising two float chambers,valves for controlling the flow from each float chamber, a conduit forexhaust gases, means foi` transferring heat from the conduit to one ofthe fioat chambers. and means responsive to the temperature of fuel insaid one 0f the float chambers for concomitantly opening one of thevalves and closing the other.

Signed by me at Boston. Massachusetts this 14th day of September, 1923.

LUMAN T. THURBER.

